Butler, Thompson lift UNH hockey past Merrimack

Sunday

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — One of the hottest lines in the country continued its potent play Saturday to lead the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to victory.

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — One of the hottest lines in the country continued its potent play Saturday to lead the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to victory.

Senior Bobby Butler, and juniors Paul Thompson and Phil DeSimone combined for all five goals and nine points as the Wildcats edged Merrimack, 5-4, in Hockey East action at Lawler Arena.

"They're playing very well," said UNH coach Dick Umile. "They've got some great chemistry. We've got some injuries and when those guys come back I think we're going to be even stronger and have more depth. It's a huge win for us."

Thompson, of Derry, scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period for UNH's first lead, 4-3, and DeSimone sunk the eventual game winner at 6:19 of the third as the Wildcats extended their unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1).

That trio now has 21 points in the last three games, including 12 in a win and a tie against Boston University last weekend. Butler leads the team with 12 goals and Thompson is next with seven after scoring 10 in his first two seasons combined.

"We've been playing well," said Thompson, who put UNH ahead to stay 47 seconds into the third period. "Things are going in for us. We've been moving the puck pretty well and getting a lot of chances. We're pretty happy with the way things are going right now. Every time we go out on the ice we try to make something happen."

UNH played the game without freshman forwards Dalton Speelman (elbow) and Greg Burke (shoulder), and senior defenseman Nick Krates (ankle), who missed the game with injuries.

"Collectively, I think we're playing better than we have in a while," DeSimone said. "Bobby's been on fire this year and Paul has scored some huge goals. It's pretty easy. All I have to do is put the puck on their stick anywhere and it's going in for them. We're playing well at both ends of the ice, I think that's the biggest thing. Play defense first and the offense will come."

In handing the Warriors their first home loss, UNH improved to 5-6-3 overall and 5-2-2 in the league and took over sole possession of first place in Hockey East.

"It's a big win for us, especially in their barn where everything happens faster and quicker," Butler said. "It's physical and you're right on top of the net. A little different than our pond. We're excited to get the two points."

Despite a slow start in which they were outshot (16-7) and outscored (1-0) in the first period, the Wildcats rallied to knock off the improved Warriors (6-6-0 overall, 3-4-0 HE), who were unbeaten at home (6-0) entering Saturday's contest.

"We competed hard," Umile said. "We came back three times. The guys stayed with it. We played a good second period and a solid third."

Butler and Thompson each had two goals apiece and an assist, and DeSimone added a goal and two assists. Brian Foster finished with 34 saves, including a couple beauties late in the third period when Merrimack, trailing 5-4, pulled its goalie for an extra attacker.

Defensemen Damon Kipp and Blake Kessel each had two assists.

"This (win) was really important," DeSimone said. "Merrimack was undefeated at their rink so far so this was a big win for us. At this point last year I think our record is the exact same. We're not in the worse spot. We obviously started out pretty bad out of conference, but I think in Hockey East we've put ourselves in good position."

The teams combined for five goals in the second period, including three over the final 3:38 as the Wildcats came from behind three times to tie. The scored was deadlocked, 3-3, after two periods.

"In the first period we weren't playing great," Umile said. "You've got to give them credit. They took it to us. But we battled back and we hung in there."

Butler scored twice and Thompson once in the second period. Special teams played a role as Butler scored once on the power play and once short-handed. Thompson converted a DeSimone feed with 58.8 seconds left in the second to knot the count for the third time.

"This was huge," Thompson said. "Coach said this was one of the biggest if not the biggest game we've ever had against Merrimack. It keeps us in first place in our league which is great, so it was a big win for us, especially in their barn where they play well."

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